Fine margins decided URC derby rivals' fate
02/08/2025 11:51 PM
The Stormers were just a successful conversion away from denying the Bulls a long-awaited Vodacom URC victory in Cape Town on Saturday, writes MARK KEOHANE.
The hosts outscored the Bulls five tries to four, but four missed kicks proved costly, with Clayton Blommetjies’ miss in the 78th minute sealing a 33-32 result in favour of the visitors, whose first URC win at Cape Town Stadium boosted their hopes of a top-two finish.
Writing for TimesLIVE, Keohane notes the tactical substitution of Jurie Matthee for Blommetjies at flyhalf will spark debate, as will the decision not to kick for goal at 27-28 in the 65th minute.
He believes Matthee's three consecutive missed kicks raised questions, but his effort couldn't be faulted. In contrast, Keohane argues, veteran Willie le Roux provided calm direction for the Bulls.
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Keohane emphasises that the Bulls, now seven wins from nine in the 2024-25 URC, must push for a home playoff if they aim to win the competition, while he insists the Stormers' resilience – despite an injury-hit squad – proves they remain contenders.
"Four successive missed kicks for posts killed the Stormers in Cape Town," he writes. "The Stormers lost by a single point when everything pointed to them winning by one point when BJ Dixon scored in the 78th minute.
"The margins in winning and losing are fine. A Stormers 34-33 win would make for a very different overview to a Bulls 33-32 win.
"Any top-four aspirations died with Blommetjies' final missed kick.
"The hosts' season is not done yet, far from it, based on the ticker they showed with a team so dented by injury to an entire starting back division.
"For the Bulls, you feel they must get a home playoff to win this tournament."
Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images
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